DUBOIS – Planning is under way for the 2018 USCAA City of DuBois Small College World Series baseball and softball national championships for next May.
The Host Committee held its first major planning session last month in October and announced recently some updates and events planned for the week of the championships.
In 2018, Championship Week is scheduled from Monday, May 14 through Thursday, May 18. Ticket information for both championships, including an extremely affordable day-pass for residents of Clearfield County, will be announced later in the spring.
The night before Championship Week, on Sunday there will be a kick-off event at Showers Field, including a welcome parade for all 20 teams, 10 baseball and 10 softball, a home run derby for both softball and baseball players, a music concert and a fireworks show capping off the night.
More festivities and details for the event will be announced later in spring.
The Host Committee also made the following announcements:
- Hotel and lodging contracts have been signed and completed. The championships will total an estimated 750 room nights, the largest number of room bookings by a single event in county history.
- Sponsorship packages and opportunities were finalized for regional businesses and organizations. If a business is interested in sponsorship or advertising opportunities, they may contact the City of DuBois at 814-371-2000, Magnus Marketing at 814-299-7041 or info@showersfield.com.
- The contract for Umpires for both events has been signed, as well. The New England Collegiate Umpires and Collegiate Softball Umpires Association won the bids to officiate the championships for baseball and softball, respectively.
“We’re excited to bring our baseball and softball National Championships to DuBois,” said USCAA Executive Director Matthew Simms.
“The City of DuBois has embraced the championships with open arms. This level of enthusiasm is what the USCAA looks for in host cities, and we’re very pleased with the progress made by the planning committee.”
The tournaments will bring an estimated 500 student-athletes to DuBois and Clearfield County. The USCAA will be utilizing multiple hotels, restaurants and shops throughout the nearly week-long duration of the championships.
The U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association is a national organization dedicated to providing opportunities for small colleges to compete against like institutions for national-championships and student athlete recognition.
The 84-member organization is headquartered in Norfolk, Va., and has been in existence since 2001.